Improvement in metallic trunk-frames



UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

LAZARE oANTEL, oF NEW YoRIQN. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC TRUNK-FRAMES.r`

Specioation forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,334, dated December 20,1853.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be itknown that I, LAZARE CANTEL, trunkmanufacturer, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented, made, and applied to use acertain new and useful Improvement in Joints for Trunks and Similar Articles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein- Figure l is a vertical section of the front and back part of the joint of a trunk. Fig. 2 is a plan showing the four corners of the lower part, and Fig. 3 is asimilar plan of the four corners of the lid.

The like marks refer to the saine parts.

a is the bottom of the trunk or box.

b is the top part or lid.

l is a strip of metal bent so as to inclose the top edge of the bottoni part of the trunk and form a bead or rib 2 along on the upper and outer edge. A frame of the size and shape of the triinlgfornied of strips of metal thus bent, and brazed or riveted at the angles, is to be attached to the bottom part of the trunk by rivets, if with a leather trunk, as shown, or by nails, screws, or rivets with a wooden trunk. The frame 3, similarly attached to the top, is made of strips of metal bent in the saine form, but so set together that the bead or rib 4 is on the inner and lower edge of the lid, setting inside of the bead or rib 2.

5 is a plate or strip of metal on the outside of three sides of the top or lid b, so as when shut to come outside the metal frame l.

6 is the upper and 7 the lower parts of hinges riveted,respectively,onto the top frame 3 and bottom frame 1. This hinge is formed of sheet metal, with holes cut out alternately, which is folded around a wire S, so as to bring the parts onto each other, as shown, each side beingsimilarlyformed. The join t of onepasses into the opening in the other. Thus the wire when passed through forms one continuous light and strong hinge. The object to be attained by this construction is to make one part of the trunk support the other, thereby keeping the joint close and firm. For instance, if any pressure or strain tends to shove the bottom part a in, the strain is thrown by the ribs 2 and 4 on the lid, and if any strain tends to spring the lid, it is supported by the outside plate or strip 5 taking against the outside of the-lower part. At the saine time the hinge and beads at the back act together to prevent the trunk being damaged or strained open at this part.

The advantages which I gain will be obvious, for by making the top and bottom support each other the strain is lnaterially relieved from the lock and parts that hold the lid and bottom together.- This is particularly useful with leather trunks or similar articles, as the ordinary articles are easily bent in and opened, while mine is light, secure, and cheap.

I do not intend to confine myself to the use of this frame with leather trunks, as it may be used with other characters of trunks and with carpet-bags, hat-cases, or similar articles. Neither do I confine myself to the frame being square, as other shapes and sizes may be used as suited to the articles to which the frame is applied.

I a'rn aware that the strip or plate 5 on three v sides has been used; hurt I ain not aware ot' any joint or traine havingjbeen made of a bent plate or strip with ribs and grooves as herein specified, and4 I do not claim in general the metallic'frames made with tongues and grooves and hinged together at one side for the joints of,trunks; but

I claim- Forming the 4joint-s of trunks by arming the edges of the material of which the body is composed with sheet-metal covering, crimped in the form of the tongues, as specilied, whereby I obtain not'only a protection to the surface from wear, but also the effect of a stiffening frame, as well as strength in the tongues, and that at a small expense.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set mysignature this'ZOth day of November, 1852.

L. CANTEL. lVitnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, CHARLES TENCELLENT. 

